Boko Haram: Obi gives N24m to families of slain victims

AWKA— GOVERNOR Peter Obi has given a balance of N1 million to the next-of-kin of each of the 12 families whose relations were allegedly killed by Boko Haram in Mubi, Adamawa State in December last year to enable them cushion the effect of the loss.

He had earlier given relations of the victims N1 million each during their burial at Adazi Nnukwu in Anaocha local government area of the state.

It will be recalled that the 12 victims of attacks were laid to rest at the St. Andrew’s Church burial ground at Adazi Nnukwu in January after an emotion–laden church service presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor.

The victims were traders in Mubi, except a 16-year-old student, Master Obinna Akukwe and the only female victim, Mrs. Ukamaka Aforka who had traveled to Mubi to join in the arrangement for the burial of a relation allegedly killed earlier by the sect.

Those whose relations got the cheques were the late Amaechi Onwudike, Obinna Akukwe, Osita Aforka, Ukamaka Aforka, Uchenna Okpala, Ugochukwu Ezenwekwe, and John Obiakonwa. Others were Patrick Aghachi, Job Mgbemena, Bede Anagbado, Simeon Asoh and Sunday Okoye. Altogether, they left about 60 children, most of who are teenagers.

The governor had earlier announced that his administration would offer scholarship to the children left behind by the victims and promised a donation of N10 million for the construction of a monument at the premises of the church in memory of the victims.

While handing the cheques to them, Obi advised the people of the community not to see the beneficiaries as having arrived as no amount of money would equal the loss of their dear ones who were mainly the bread winners of their families.

“This money is to enable you rebuild your lives and I advise the relations of the beneficiaries to support them to ensure that the money was put to meaningful use,” he told them.

At the ceremony, the governor also gave the church N2 million, bringing to N6 million so far donated for the reconstruction of St. Andrews Church which will celebrate its centenary later in the year.